Table 2

Associations between food consumption and perceived stress and depressive symptoms
(each food group adjusted solely for country, separate models for males and females
and for both mental health indicators)

Perceived Stress score (PSS)

Depressive Symptoms score (M-BDI)

Female

Male

Female

Male

Food group

p-value

Estimate*

p-value

Estimate*

p-value

Estimate*

p-value

Estimate*

Sweets

0.04

0.54

0.37

-0.31

0.27

0.59

0.10

-1.11

Cookies

0.13

0.48

0.46

-0.30

0.79

0.17

0.27

-0.89

Snacks

0.04

0.66

0.92

0.04

0.33

0.62

0.34

-0.76

Fast food

0.07

0.55

0.04

0.84

0.57

0.34

0.02

1.85

Fruits

<0.001

-1.17

0.37

-0.32

0.002

-1.69

0.53

-0.45

Salads

<0.001

-1.21

0.23

-0.48

<0.001

-2.55

0.25

-0.88

Vegetables

0.003

-0.82

0.97

-0.01

0.003

-1.62

0.29

0.77

Soft drinks

0.52

-0.14

0.60

0.17

0.05

-0.90

0.55

-0.36

Meat

0.03

-0.52

0.80

0.09

0.003

-1.47

0.24

-0.78

Fish

<0.001

-1.32

0.75

-0.13

0.02

-1.60

0.90

0.10

Milk products

0.009

-0.72

0.34

-0.34

0.06

-1.07

0.08

-1.18

Cereal products

0.17

-0.33

0.17

-0.41

0.17

-0.67

0.07

-1.02

* Change in the corresponding score (PSS or M-BDI) per one unit of the food group
frequency scale